The Witcher Book Series: A Comprehensive Guide
Before the hit Netflix series and acclaimed video games, there was Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher book series. This sprawling saga, deeply rooted in Slavic mythology and echoing the grandeur of classic fantasy like Lord of the Rings, offers a richly detailed world and compelling characters that have captivated readers and gamers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned Witcher fan or a curious newcomer, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the series and its recommended reading order.
Understanding the Witcher Canon: Books and Short Stories
Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher universe comprises eight books: four short story collections and four novels. The initial foray into Geralt of Rivia’s world began in the mid-1980s with a short story published in the Polish fantasy magazine Fantastyka. This early success spurred the creation of numerous short stories, eventually compiled into collections, adding layers of complexity and depth to the narrative.
It’s important to note the chronological and canonical order of these works, which can be a source of confusion for new readers. The initial Polish-language short story collection, Wiedzmin (1990), is now out of print. Most of its stories (excluding “The Road to No Return”) were later incorporated into The Last Wish, the first book to reach an international audience. This fact is crucial for understanding the recommended reading order. The story “The Road to No Return” appeared later in the 2000 collection Something Ends, Something Begins, which contains largely non-canon or unrelated Witcher stories.
While Something Ends, Something Begins does not feature in the primary reading guide presented here, fan translations exist for those wishing to explore this aspect of Sapkowski’s work. This guide focuses on the core canon, offering a clear path for appreciating the narrative progression.
The Recommended Reading Order: A Witcher Journey
This reading guide presents the officially recommended sequence for experiencing the Witcher saga, balancing chronological order with narrative flow. Understanding the relationship between the short story collections and the novels helps to maximize your understanding of the overarching narrative.
Phase 1: Laying the Foundation – Short Story Collections
The journey into the Witcher universe properly begins with the short story collections, establishing the world, Geralt’s character, and his interactions with key figures.
- The Last Wish (Short Story Collection): This serves as a prequel, introducing Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher, and setting the stage for his adventures. It features almost every story from the original Wiedzmin collection, along with additional tales, all predating the events of Sword of Destiny.
- Sword of Destiny (Short Story Collection): Following The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny continues Geralt’s adventures. Critically, it introduces Ciri, a pivotal character in the subsequent novels, deepening the overall narrative complexity.
Phase 2: Embracing the Saga – The Witcher Novels
After grounding yourself in the short stories, you’re ready to immerse yourself in the main Witcher Saga. This five-novel arc forms the core of Geralt’s life story, focusing on his relationship with Ciri and the unfolding political conflicts that embroil the Continent. These are full-length novels, each offering a substantial amount of content, detailed world-building, and character development.
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Blood of Elves (The Witcher Saga #1): This initiates the central conflict of the saga, introducing Nilfgaard’s Emperor Emhyr var Emreis’ pursuit of Ciri. Geralt’s role as a protector and the looming war create immediate tension and set the stage for the larger narrative.
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The Time of Contempt (The Witcher Saga #2): Continuing the saga, this novel deepens the political intrigue and explores Ciri’s magical training at Aretuza. The growing war and Ciri’s subsequent flight introduce new characters and expand the scope of the conflicts.
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Baptism of Fire (The Witcher Saga #3): Geralt recovers from previous events while forming unlikely alliances. The introduction of familiar characters from the games, such as Zoltan Chivay and Regis, enhances the reader experience. The novel also adds to the character development of Geralt and Ciri.
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The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher Saga #4): A major turning point in the saga, this novel focuses on Ciri’s severe injuries and escape into other worlds. Geralt’s actions in this book set up major events in the final novel of the saga.
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The Lady of the Lake (The Witcher Saga #5): The culmination of the Witcher Saga, this novel explores the destiny of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer, weaving together plot threads from previous novels and bringing closure to significant narrative arcs.
Phase 3: Exploring the Past – A Prequel Novel
While the core saga is complete, Season of Storms offers a unique addition to the Witcher experience. Depending on your preference for chronological reading or minimizing spoilers, you can place this book accordingly.
- Season of Storms (Prequel): This prequel novel features stories that occur between those in The Last Wish. While it doesn’t strictly adhere to a linear progression, Season of Storms offers insight into Geralt’s past and hints at future events, making it a rewarding read either early or later in your Witcher experience. If you’re particularly concerned about spoilers, it’s best to read this after completing the main saga.
The Witcher Games and Future Works
The Witcher video games provide a parallel narrative, situated approximately ten years after the conclusion of the short stories. Playing the games before reading the books may result in some spoilers. However, both the books and games offer unique and rich experiences, so the order shouldn’t severely detract from overall enjoyment.
The Witcher saga continues to expand. A new novel, Rozdroże kruków (“Crossroads of Crows”), was announced in 2023 with its release in Poland in late 2024. The official English translation of this addition to the Witcher lore is expected sometime in 2025.
Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher also continues, along with other media such as the animated film The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. And CD Projekt Red’s announcement of The Witcher 4 at the 2024 Game Awards signals the continuation of Geralt’s adventures in the gaming world.
This detailed guide aims to provide the best possible reading experience for newcomers and seasoned fans alike, offering a roadmap for understanding and enjoying the rich and intricate world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series. Remember that engaging with this vast universe offers numerous pathways, and the optimal order may vary based on individual preferences and expectations.